Inter Milan vs Bologna — Match Preview
A massive Serie A clash takes place at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday, 4 January 2026, as league leaders Inter Milan host their “bogey team,” Bologna. The Nerazzurri sit top of the table with 36 points but will be out for revenge after losing 1–2 to Bologna just two weeks ago in the Supercoppa (or Cup tie) on December 20. Inter bounced back with a gritty 1–0 win over Atalanta to end the year, but Simone Inzaghi faces a selection headache on the right flank. Bologna, sitting 7th with 26 points, are dreaming of Europe but enter this game off a frustrating 1–1 draw with Sassuolo. Vincenzo Italiano’s side has had Inter’s number recently, unbeaten in their last three meetings.
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Match Info
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 17)
- Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Milan (Capacity: 80,018)
- Date: Sunday, 4 January 2026
- Kickoff: 20:45 CET | 19:45 GMT | 14:45 ET
- Referee: Marco Guida (ITA)
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Match Stakes
Inter Milan (1st — 36 pts):
- Win → Moves to 39 pts; consolidates 1st place and breaks the Bologna curse.
- Draw → Keeps them top, but allows rivals (Milan/Napoli) to close the gap.
- Loss → Second defeat to Bologna in a month; raises doubts about their ability to beat tactical “poison” teams.
Bologna (7th — 26 pts):
- Win → Moves to 29 pts; potentially breaks into the Top 4/5 race.
- Draw → A superb point away at the champions; keeps European hopes alive.
- Loss → Drops them into the mid-table pack; ends their psychological dominance over Inter.
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Team News
Inter Milan:
- Dumfries D. — Out (Ankle Injury – Right Wing-Back Crisis)
- Darmian M. — Out (Calf Injury – Crisis Deepens)
- Bonny A. — Out (Knee Injury)
- Acerbi F. — Questionable (Thigh Injury – De Vrij likely to start)
- Palacios T. — Questionable (Thigh Injury)
- Tactical Headache: With both primary right-wing-backs out, Inzaghi may be forced to play Tajon Buchanan on the right or adapt Yann Bisseck in a wider role.
Bologna:
- Bonifazi K. — Out (Inactive)
- Bernardeschi F. — Out (Injury)
- Skorupski L. — Questionable (Thigh Injury – Starting GK Doubt)
- Cambiaghi N. — Questionable (Illness)
- Selection Note: If Skorupski fails his fitness test, Federico Ravaglia will start in goal.
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Inter Milan
- 29/12 — 1–0 vs Atalanta (Serie A)
- 20/12 — 1–2 vs Bologna (Supercoppa/Cup)
- 14/12 — 2–1 vs Genoa (Serie A)
- 10/12 — 0–1 vs Liverpool (UCL)
- 06/12 — 4–0 vs Como (Serie A)
Bologna
- 28/12 — 1–1 vs Sassuolo (Serie A)
- 23/12 — 0–2 vs Napoli (Supercoppa/Cup)
- 20/12 — 2–1 vs Inter (Supercoppa/Cup)
- 15/12 — 0–1 vs Juventus (Serie A)
- 12/12 — 2–1 vs Celta Vigo (UEL)
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 20/12/2025 — Bologna 2–1 Inter (Cup/Supercoppa)
- 20/04/2025 — Bologna 1–0 Inter (Serie A)
- 16/01/2025 — Inter 2–2 Bologna (Serie A)
- 09/03/2024 — Bologna 0–1 Inter (Serie A)
- 21/12/2023 — Inter 1–2 Bologna (Coppa Italia)
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Inter Milan (3-5-2)
Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Buchanan, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martinez
Bologna (4-2-3-1)
Ravaglia (if Skorupski out); Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Ferguson, Ndoye; Castro
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Impact Bench
Inter Milan: Frattesi (Goal threat from deep), Zielinski (Creativity), Taremi (Striker option)
Bologna: Odgaard (Versatile forward), Fabbian (Former Inter product with a point to prove)
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Tactical Analysis
Inter Milan
Inzaghi’s system relies heavily on wing-back production. Without Dumfries and Darmian, the right side is a major weak link. Look for Inter to overload the left with Dimarco and Bastoni to compensate. They must move the ball faster than they did on Dec 20, where Bologna’s man-marking stifled their midfield trio.
Bologna
Bologna know exactly how to beat Inter: high pressing to disrupt the build-up and quick transitions. Lewis Ferguson and Dan Ndoye will target the makeshift right side of Inter’s defense. If Skorupski is out, protecting the backup goalkeeper will be priority #1, so expect a slightly more conservative defensive block than usual.
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Key Battles
- Lautaro vs Beukema — Inter’s captain needs to step up against a physical defender.
- Barella vs Freuler — The engine room battle; whoever wins this dictates the tempo.
- Buchanan (or RWB) vs Ndoye — Inter’s emergency wing-back vs Bologna’s pacy winger.
- Sommer vs Orsolini — Orsolini cutting inside is Bologna’s biggest threat.
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Spotlight Players
Inter Milan — Marcus Thuram
While Lautaro gets the headlines, Thuram’s physical hold-up play is vital to unlocking Bologna’s tight defense. He needs to drag defenders out of position to create space for midfielders like Barella and Frattesi.
Bologna — Riccardo Orsolini
The winger is unpredictable and deadly. With Inter’s left side (Dimarco/Bastoni) often pushing high, Orsolini will have space to counter-attack. He scored in the recent H2H win and will be the danger man again.
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Prediction
Inter Milan 2–1 Bologna
Revenge is a powerful motivator. Despite the injury crisis on the right flank, Inter’s squad depth (Frattesi, Zielinski) is superior. Bologna are formidable, but the potential absence of their starting goalkeeper Skorupski tips the balance in favor of the Nerazzurri at a packed San Siro.
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Betting Insights
- Inter to Win — Probability ~58%
- Both Teams to Score — YES (Inter’s defense missing regulars; Bologna dangerous).
- Lautaro Martinez to Score — High Value.
Inter Milan vs Bologna — Where to Watch
- Italy: DAZN
- USA: Paramount+, CBS Sports
- UK: TNT Sports
Inter Milan vs Bologna — FAQs
Q: When is the Inter vs Bologna match?
A: The match kicks off on Sunday, 4 January 2026, at 20:45 CET.
Q: Why are Darmian and Dumfries out?
A: Both right-wing-backs are injured (Calf and Ankle respectively), leaving Inter short in that position.
Q: Who won the last match?
A: Bologna won 2–1 on December 20, 2025.
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